TUNIS - Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali warned that his country will not tolerate any interference in its internal affairs, stressing that pluralism has now become a concrete fact in Tunisia, while promising to support more political participations.
During a speech to the country's parliament and upper house marking the constitutional swearing-in ceremony following his re-election for a new presidential term, Ben Ali stressed that ever since the Change of 7th of November 1987, he has been keen to reinstall respect for the republic system, empower the people, enforce the rule of law, strengthen the legislative power, enrich political life, and open up the democratic process and pluralism, to the extent that opposition MPs now occupy 25 per cent of parliamentary seats.
The Tunisian President expressed his confidence that the country's different political parties will enrich the democratic process while remaining committed to the national consensus.
While hailing productive diversity, Ben Ali warned against jeopardising national unity for destructive personal interests.
The President rejected attempts to discredit the image of Tunisia abroad by those who wish to harm the country from overseas.
A true patriot, stressed Ben Ali, would not join forces with foreign parties to harm the interests of the country.
Such actions would not be tolerated by the Tunisian law, which gives no immunity to anyone breaking it, as all citizens are equal before justice, Ben Ali added, warning that these acts are seen as disturbing public order would be allowed to take any political or ideological cover.
The President stressed that it is the people of Tunisia "who will bear the final judgement".
"Our hearts and hands are extended to every Tunisian man or woman with no exception," he added.
Ben Ali distinguished between constructive differences in points of view and attempts to undermine Tunisia's independence and sovereignty.
The President noted that Tunisia referred cases of foreign interferences in its internal affairs to the Maghreb Union and African Union to look into.
Meanwhile, Ben Ali vowed to continue Tunisia's plans and programmes for further progress with the support of civil society and political parties.
The Tunisian President promised more backing for the development of the media sector which would serve freedom of expression and speech in the country.
Ben Ali also vowed to further increase the standard of living for citizens and tackle the issue of unemployment, until guarantying a source of income for every single Tunisian family by 2014.
Blair blasts Britons over Iraq war